Tag Archives: MSC Seascape

MSC: 7 Cruise Ships for Winter 2025-26 in North America

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MSC Cruises is deploying seven ships in the United States for the winter 2025-26 season, the most for the cruise line to date in the market.

The ships will be based at four homeports, another North American milestone for the brand, in Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City and Galveston, according to a press release.

Highlights of winter 2025-26 include MSC Grandiosa’s debut in the U.S. from Port Canaveral; MSC Cruises’ inaugural season sailing from Galveston; MSC World America’s first winter season sailing from Miami following her debut in April 2025; and most itineraries calling at the enhanced Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA, said: “The winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, with seven ships sailing from U.S. homeports.  We are delighted to provide our guests more choices than ever before when it comes to embarkation ports, ships, itineraries and destinations, making it easy to find the perfect cruise.  

“We look forward to introducing MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral, launching MSC Seascape from Galveston and offering a new world of cruising aboard MSC World America for our guests embarking in Miami.  Combining world-class entertainment, dining and amenities onboard with the fantastic updates coming to Ocean Cay makes for an incredibly exciting future, which is perfect for everyone from first-time cruisers to our most devoted fans.”

The MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating seven-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with a selection of three- and four-night cruises aboard the MSC Seashore sailing to Nassau and Ocean Cay.

 The season will also mark MSC Cruises’ first sailings from the Port of Galveston, with the MSC Seascape. The ship will operate seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries with visits to Costa Maya, Isla de Roatan and Cozumel.

From Miami, MSC World America will operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, calling at Isla de Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Puerto Plata among other destinations. The Seaside will sail a range of three-, four- and seven-night itineraries while the Divina will sail longer itineraries to the Caribbean.

From New York, the Meraviglia will sail on seven-night itineraries to Florida and The Bahamas, calling in Port Canaveral (Florida), Nassau and Ocean Cay.

MSC Magnifica to Reposition to Europe in 2025

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MSC Magnifica berthed in Queensferry, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr

Previously scheduled to offer short cruises to the Bahamas, the MSC Magnifica is now set to sail in Europe during the summer season of 2025.

Joining MSC Cruises’ lineup in the Western Mediterranean, the 2010-built cruise ship will offer a new seven-night itinerary to Italy, France, and Spain.

The itinerary, which is set to run between early May and early October 2025, includes visits to Genoa, Marseille, Valencia and Tarragona.

With only one day at sea, the itinerary also includes stops in Civitavecchia and Livorno, from where guests can visit Rome and Pisa, respectively.

Following the summer program, the MSC Magnifica is scheduled to offer varying itineraries in the Western Mediterranean before kicking off MSC Cruises’ 2026 World Cruise.

Taking over the global voyage from the MSC Poesia, the 2,550-guest vessel is set to depart from Genoa on January 6, 2026.

During the 119-day world voyage,, the 89,600-ton ship is scheduled to travel 36,000 nautical miles and visit 47 destinations in 32 countries and five continents.

Currently sailing from PortMiami, the MSC Magnifica has been offering three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Florida since late 2023.

In addition to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West, the vessel’s itineraries also include visits to MSC Cruises’ private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Now, the MSC Seascape is scheduled to offer three- to seven-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas departing from PortMiami in 2025.

After entering service next April, the 5,400-guest MSC World America is also set to sail from the South Florida homeport on a year-round basis.

MSC Cruises fleet in the United States for the summer of 2025 also includes the MSC Meraviglia sailing from New York City and the MSC Seashore sailing from Port Canaveral.

Neil Palomba Named EVP, Operations, MSC Cruises USA

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Neil Palomba has been named executive vice president of operations for MSC Cruises USA, while Josef Jungwirth has been named vice president of food and beverage operations, reporting to Palomba.

“As a testament to our continued growth in the U.S. and focus on providing an exceptional onboard experience, we are pleased to welcome Neil Palomba and Josef Jungwirth to our U.S. Operations Team,” the company said.

Palomba will lead the operations function for the line’s U.S.-based ships and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

He held several positions from 1996 to 2013 with MSC Cruises, including Chief Operating Officer in Fort Lauderdale for MSC Cruises USA from 2006-2010, and then relocating to Geneva, Switzerland where he led multiple corporate functions. Most recently, Palomba served as President for Costa Crociere in Genova, Italy and Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Carnival Cruise Line in Miami, FL.

Jungwirth will take on the role of vice president, of food & beverage operations, at MSC Cruises USA, reporting to Palomba. He brings more than 25 years of food & beverage operations experience to the role. Previously, Jungwirth spent 11 years as the Corporate Executive Chef at Sandals Resort International and 14 years at Royal Caribbean International where he oversaw the development of the company’s annual business objectives for culinary operations.